Israel and the Palestinian Territories tours & travel

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The enduring religious centre of the Western world, Israel and the Palestinian Territories are alive with history.

A pilgrimage to Israel and the Palestinian Territories opens up a world of ancient tales, faith-driven worshippers, intricate cuisines and contemporary attitudes. From the glistening northern coastlines to the depths of the Dead Sea, simple mountain village communities to cosmopolitan cities full of bars and boutiques; a vacation here is a varied and complex adventure. It will challenge your perceptions on faith and spirituality, bring you face to face with the significance of centuries-old traditions, serve up some mouth-watering food, and, most importantly, will surprise you at every turn.

Nov 03, 2019

Sep 13, 2018

Israel and the Palestinian Territories may be a complicated place, but it’s also...

Israel and the Palestinian Territories travel highlights

Jerusalem

This is the focal point of Western religions, as congregations gather in the Old City’s Christian, Jewish, Muslim and Armenian quarters. Outside the walls, a diverse city is alive with streets and marketplaces, so take it all in from the Mount of Olives.

Buq'ata

Indulge in a home-cooked meal with a local family while visiting a Druze village in the north-eastern outcrops of the country – you’ll get to know all the secrets of baking bread and preparing a largely vegetarian feast.

Transport in Israel and the Palestinian Territories

Intrepid believes half the fun of experiencing a new country is getting there, and getting around once there! Where possible, Intrepid uses local transport options and traditional modes of transport – which usually have less of an environmental impact, support small local operators and are heaps more fun.

Depending what trip you're on while in Israel and the Palestinian Territories, you may find yourself travelling by:

Jeep

There’s no easier way to cross the dunes and head deep into the desert than in the back of a jeep. This is safari travel, Middle East style.

Culture and customs

Culture and customs

Israel and the Palestinian Territories are a crossroads of cultures and ethnicities, so there are many annual events marking important dates in religious and cultural calendars. Jerusalem, also known as the Holy Land, is touted as the historical and religious centre of the Western world, with followers of Christianity, Judaism and Islam all holding the city sacred.

As you would expect from such a destination, there are daily displays of devotion and pilgrimage that happen on the streets and in public arenas, as well as a wide range of things to see. Take note though – it’s important to know of any traditions or events that occur which might affect your travel plans.

Shabbat

Shabbat, or the Sabbath, is a weekly day of rest recognised by the religious and non-religious Jewish populations, as well as some others across the region. The resting period lasts from 20-30 minutes before sundown on Friday to an hour after sundown on Saturday night, and depending on which part of the country you are in, you will notice different levels of impact on public transport and businesses.

In Tel Aviv, for example, Friday night is one of the city’s busiest nights, so you shouldn’t be too affected. In Jerusalem, however, many restaurants close until Saturday night, and your hotel front desk may close for Friday evening and the next day as workers may be observing Shabbat. If you find yourself in Jerusalem and parts of Galilee during Shabbat, ensure that you have researched places to eat and things to see that will be open and available over this time. In other parts of the country, like the North Coast, Negev Desert, Dead Sea and Tel Aviv, your stay should be mainly unaffected; however, it’s best to have a back-up plan just in case your preferences aren’t open.

It is important to understand how Shabbat could affect your visit, as you may find yourself without many restaurant or cafe options, or having to walk or take an expensive taxi (if you can find one) to get around.

Ramadan

During the ninth and holiest month in the Islamic calendar (the Gregorian, or ‘Western’, calendar equivalent dates of which change each year) Ramadan is observed by Muslims across the world as a time of spiritual rejuvenation. For this month, Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset – refraining from eating and drinking during daylight hours. The period of Eid marks the end of fasting with three days of feasting and celebration. For the duration of Ramadan, expect almost all restaurants and some other establishments in Muslim areas to be closed during daylight hours, with the exception of hotels.

History and government

History and government

Ancient history

The roots of Israel extend back thousands of years, and many stories of origin stem from the Hebrew Bible and trace back to Abraham, who is considered both the father of Judaism (through his son Isaac) and Islam (through his son Ishmael). Descendants of Abraham are said to have been held captive in Egypt for centuries before settling in Canaan, located where some of Israel and the Palestinian Territories’ contested regions are today. These sites, and especially Jerusalem, have been besieged and ruled by many empires over the centuries of their history – Babylonian, Persian, Greek Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman, among others.

20th century

Fast-forward to the 20th century, when Great Britain supported an establishment of a permanent Jewish state in the region then recognised as Palestine. British Foreign Secretary Arthur Balfour stated intentions to set up a ‘national home’ in Palestine for Jewish populations under the Balfour Declaration. In late 1947, the United Nations approved a plan for the partition of Palestine. On 14 May 1948, Israel proclaimed its independence under the rule of the head of the Jewish Agency, David Ben-Gurion. For Palestinian Arabs, this meant a mass exodus from what was to become Israel.

Today

Since then, as over many points during the region’s history, there has been a series of conflicts regarding control in the territories. Currently, parts of Israel and the Palestinian Territories are still contested, and complex political relationships exist in the country to navigate administration over certain regions, whether the responsibility of Israel, Palestine, or a combination of both. Israel has peace agreements with Jordan and Egypt, but not some other Middle Eastern neighbours, so border crossing can be complicated.

Eating and drinking

Eating and drinking

These regions are full of delightful things to taste. Whether you’re fine-dining in Tel Aviv or having a street-side snack at Machane Yehuda market in Jerusalem, there's no shortage of Middle Eastern cuisine to keep your mouth watering.

Falafel

Found in food stands on street corners and in markets all around the country, falafel is touted as Israel’s national dish and, despite competing stories of where they were invented, these snacks are now a staple in Israeli cuisine. Made from fava beans, chickpeas or a combination of both, enjoy them as either part of a Middle Eastern mezze, or stuffed into a pita with hummus, tahini, pickles and salad.

Shakshuka

Shakshuka accurately translates as ‘a mixture’, describing a dish of eggs baked in a spiced tomato, chilli, pepper and garlic sauce and served in a traditional pan. Every street food vendor or shakshuka master believes they’ve got the best recipe, so it’s a good idea to taste a broad sample in order to decide for yourself!

Hummus

Can anything be more perfect? This silky chickpea dip is a pita’s best friend, and can be lathered on nearly anything and everything, for breakfast, lunch and dinner. To take things up a notch, order a hummus masabacha (topped with chickpeas, paprika, lemon and tahini) or hummus kawarma (topped with lamb mince, onions and parsley).

Shawarma

The Greeks have got souvlaki, the Turkish have got doner, but in these parts, it’s called shawarma. This type of local kebab is all about the traditional spices used and the ingredients that get stuffed inside – think hummus, salad, pickled turnips and tahini. An easy on-the-go lunch.

Sabich

Obviously, many Middle Eastern classic dishes are hard to trace back their origin; however, sabich is one that definitely finds its roots as Jewish Israeli. Brought here in the 1950s by Jewish immigrants from Iraq, this pita stuffed with fried eggplant, hard boiled eggs, salad, hummus and tahini is now one of the country’s most popular street food dishes. Sabich is often topped off with a drizzle of amba – a spicy sweet mango chutney.

Lechem bread

If you haven’t realised already, Israeli cuisine is big on bread. In particular, lechem bread plays not only an important role in the country’s diet, but is also of religious significance in Jewish cultures – often breaking two loaves of this bread signifies the start of a meal during Shabbat.

Knafeh

A sweet dessert found all around the Middle East, knafeh is a cheese pastry soaked in sugar syrup, often flavoured with rosewater or orange blossom. Perfect for an after-dinner snack, or an afternoon pick-me-up.

Wine

This part of the world is also known for growing wine grapes. The biggest wine-growing region, the Sharon Plain near the Mount Carmel range, boasts perfect conditions – a temperate climate and sediment-rich soils on slopes that face the Mediterranean Sea. Visit Zichron Yaakov, a town in this region, on an Intrepid Real Food Adventure for a day of wine tasting.

Geography and environment

Geography and environment

With beaches and chalk cliffs on the Mediterranean coastline, parched desert in the north, mountains (and more desert!) in the south and fertile valleys in the centre, Israel and the Palestinian Territories boast an astounding amount of diverse landscapes to travel through in a small area, meaning you can bounce from one geographic wonder to another with minimal travel time.

Sharing borders and cultures with Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, the West Bank and Gaza Strip, the people here live in vastly different ways – from the modern, upwardly-mobile population of faced-paced Tel Aviv to the relative simplicity of village life in the mountains.

Shopping

Shopping

From the ultra-modern shopping malls of Tel Aviv to the laneway markets of Jerusalem’s Old City, there’s no shortage of shopping spots in Israel and the Palestinian Territories. In Tel Aviv and some parts of Jerusalem, expect to see some big global brands, as well as local favourites, such as Hamashbir and Castro.

During your time here, you’ll have opportunities to walk around and shop at local markets. For purchases under roughly USD 8 (ISL 30), it's best to carry small denominations of currency, as stallholders or retailers likely won’t accept credit cards as payment.

Outside of markets and Jerusalem’s Old City, bartering is usually not accepted, and most stores have fixed prices for their products. If you do have any questions about shopping at markets or stores during your time in Israel and the Palestinian Territories, ask your group leader who’ll be able to let you in on the dos and don’ts.

Festivals and events

Festivals and events

Many Jewish, Muslim and some Christian faith-based public holidays are celebrated with events and festivities throughout the year. See the ‘What public holidays are celebrated in Israel and the Palestinian Territories?’ in the FAQs below for a list of the major celebrations.

Independence Day

Observed in late April or early May, with the date changing to avoid clashing with observation of Shabbat, this celebration is both to commemorate Yom Hazikaron – the Israeli Fallen Soldiers and Victims of Terrorism Remembrance Day – and the day the State of Israel was established in 1948. During this time, celebrations include fireworks, concerts, family meetings and picnics, and displays of national symbols, including the Israeli flag.

Purim

Purim is a joyous holiday in the Jewish calendar and remembers the story of Esther who helped save Jews living in Persia from extermination. Costumes and masks are worn, baskets of goods are gifted to friends and family, and a festive meal is had with loved ones.

Tel Aviv Pride Week

Tel Aviv Pride is touted as one of the most lively and interesting Pride celebrations in the world – with colourful costumes, posters, slogans and food all week, culminating in the Pride Week Parade that attracts upwards of 200,000 attendees. Revellers come from around the world to celebrate the week-long festival in Tel Aviv.

Sukkot

Also known as the Feast of the Tabernacles, this Jewish festival spans over a week, usually held in September, and comes five days after Yom Kippur. It is one of many festivals throughout the year where Jewish people are commanded to visit pilgrimage sites.

Passover

Passover is a Jewish celebration over seven days to commemorate the flight of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. The Hebrew term ‘Pesach’, meaning to pass over, is a biblical reference to Moses instructing Israelites to mark their doors with lamb’s blood so that the spirit of the Lord would ‘pass over’ their houses and spare their first-born sons from the last of ten plagues visited upon the ancient Egyptians. Jewish families remember this period by gathering, eating unleavened bread, and performing ritual celebrations on the first (Passover Seder) and last (Mimouna) days.

Health and safety

Health and safety

On entering Israel and the Palestinian Territories, you may experience a more in-depth arrivals process than you are used to. Officials can be thorough and may seem unwelcoming, but the best approach is to stay calm and polite in response.

Expect to encounter heightened security and military presence at certain spots, especially international airports, border crossings and tourist sites. Checkpoints are set up around the country to inspect vehicles, and in a number of situations – such as entering bus or rail terminals, shopping centres or other public venues – your bags may be searched or x-rayed. Your group leader will be on hand to help your tour group through all stages of the process and act as translator if need be.

Intrepid takes the health and safety of its travellers seriously, and takes every measure to ensure that trips are safe, fun and enjoyable for everyone. We recommend that all travellers check with their government or national travel advisory organisation for the latest information before departure:

Israel and the Palestinian Territories travel FAQs

Israel and the Palestinian territories offer diverse experiences throughout the year, so there’s really no one ‘best’ time to visit. The shoulder seasons of April–May and September–October are ideal in terms of weather – pleasantly mild temperatures and little to no rainfall. However, many people choose to travel to the area over Christmas to experience winter festivities in Bethlehem, or in summer when coastal hubs like Tel Aviv and Haifa come alive at beach resorts and with outdoor nightlife. There’s a range of things to do in any weather, from skiing in the highlands to enjoying the sun near the Red Sea, so no matter what time you choose to go, it's a great place to take a vacation year-round.

Above all, it's important to note that travel will be affected during religious holidays, with the majority of shops, businesses and public transport shutting down for major public holidays and events. Be sure to consider how Jewish or other religious holidays, like Ramadan, may affect your stay.

Israel and the Palestinian Territories grant on-arrival visas to tourists of most nationalities. If you have evidence in your passport of visits to certain Islamic countries, Israeli border officials will scrutinise you regarding the purpose of your visit to Israel. The delay can be difficult and lengthy; however, patience and a friendly demeanour are advised when dealing with officials. Instead of an entry stamp, you will receive a loose entry card on arrival. Keep this in your passport until you leave, as this is evidence of your legal entry into Israel and the Palestinian Territories.

It is important to be aware that many Arab and Islamic countries deny entry to any person that has evidence of a visit to Israel. Syria, Iran, Libya and several other countries are included in this list. If you wish to travel to other countries in the region after Israel, please note that you may be refused entry if your passport, luggage or possessions indicate you have been to Israel.

Visas are the responsibility of the individual traveller. Entry requirements can change at any time, so it's important that you check for the latest information. Please visit the relevant consular website of the country or countries you’re visiting for detailed and up-to-date visa information specific to your nationality. Check the Essential Trip Information section of your tour itinerary for more information.

Tipping 10-15% for good service is standard practice in restaurants, bars and cafes, as well as on tours. Taxi drivers and other service workers like hotel staff generally don't expect tips. Tipping is not compulsory in Israel and the Palestinian Territories, but if you are satisfied with the services provided, a tip is appropriate.

Internet access is widespread in Israel and the Palestinian Territories, so accessing the internet via wi-fi hot spots is easy in Israel's cities. Rural areas will have less internet connectivity, so beware of this when travelling through remote regions of the country.

Most accommodation and some eateries offer wi-fi networks, which are usually free to use with an access code. If you wish to stay connected for the majority of your trip, it may be wise to purchase a prepaid SIM card with a data package or a wi-fi hotspot.

Mobile phone coverage is excellent in Israel and the Palestinian Territories’ major cities and built-up areas. Expect limited to no phone coverage in more isolated areas like the Negev Desert.

Global roaming can also be activated when travelling through Israel and the Palestinian Territories; however, be sure to check with your service provider to find out about any fees you may incur when using this option, as sometimes this can be expensive.

Tap water is considered safe to drink in Israel and the Palestinian Territories, unless marked otherwise. For environmental reasons, try to avoid buying bottled water. Fill a reusable water bottle or canteen with filtered water instead.

The vast majority of large hotels, restaurants and shops will accept credit cards. For smaller purchases, such as bus and taxi fares, markets and paying for something less than roughly USD 8 (ISL 30), it is advised to have cash on you to cover these costs.

ATMs are easily found in Israel and the Palestinian Territories' cities and major towns. They’re less common in rural areas, so prepare accordingly before travelling out of urban centres. In general, ATMs in Israel offer a more competitive exchange rate for local currency than buying Israeli shekels outside of the country.

Israel and the Palestinian Territories generally share a Mediterranean climate, with the summer months providing loads of sunshine and scorching temperatures that can reach upwards of 40°C. June to August usually sees the highest temperatures, with milder weather prevailing during autumn (September–October) and spring (April–May). Winter (around November–March) means cooler temperatures and light rain. Snowfall can sometimes occur in the highlands and even in Jerusalem

Absolutely. All passengers travelling with Intrepid are required to purchase travel insurance before the start of their tour. Your travel insurance details will be recorded by your leader on the first day of the trip. Due to the varying nature, availability and cost of health care around the world, travel insurance is very much an essential and necessary part of every journey.

Compared to many of its Middle East neighbours, Israel is quite progressive when it comes to a stance on LGBTQIA+ rights. Homosexuality is legal and some protections are in place regarding gender identity discrimination. Although same-sex marriages are not performed here, they recognise same-sex marriages performed elsewhere. Since 2015, the Israeli Health Ministry has allowed transgender people to change their registered gender legally without sex reassignment surgery.

Tel Aviv has a thriving gay scene, with many of the bars and nightlife geared towards this. Tel Aviv also hosts a Gay Pride Parade each year in the second week of June, which attracts over 250,000 attendees from across the world.

In the Occupied Palestinian Territories the law does not provide any explicit protections for LGBTQIA+ persons, but there are no formal laws against same-sex sexual activities. Officially, same-sex relations are not illegal but social and cultural attitudes towards homosexuality can be conservative and laws against ‘indecency’ are sometimes used, on an irregular and unpredictable basis, to criminalise same-sex acts.

There are still many conservative regions around Israel and the Palestinian Territories, so be aware of the situation you find yourself in when you are travelling. In these areas, public displays of affection are not encouraged.

For more detailed and up-to-date advice, we recommend visiting Equaldex – Israel and Palestine – or ILGA before you travel.

If you are travelling solo on an Intrepid group tour, you will share accommodation with a passenger of the same gender as per your passport information. If you don’t identify with the gender assigned on your passport, please let us know at time of booking and we’ll arrange the rooming configuration accordingly. A single supplement is available on some tours for travellers who do not wish to share a room.

Intrepid is committed to making travel widely accessible, regardless of ability or disability. That’s why we do our best to help as many people see the world as possible, regardless of any physical or mental limitations they might have. We’re always happy to talk to travellers with disabilities and see if we can help guide them towards the most suitable itinerary for their needs and, where possible, make reasonable adjustments to our itineraries.

Visitors to Israel and the Palestinian Territories with mobility issues will find most areas accessible and easy to get around, with modern infrastructure, despite the old architecture and ancient sites.

Many of Tel Aviv’s beaches can be accessed by ramps, and some hotel beaches have beach wheelchairs available for use. In Jerusalem, the Old City has an accessible trail for those requiring a wheelchair, and many of the sites are wheelchair-friendly.

If you do live with a visual, hearing or other impairment, let your booking agent or group leader know early on so they’re aware and suitable arrangements can be made. As a general rule, knowing some common words in the local language, carrying a written itinerary with you and taking to the streets in a group, rather than solo, can help make your travel experience the best it can be.

Responsible Travel

Intrepid is committed to travelling in a way that is respectful of local people, their culture, local economies and the environment. It's important to remember that what may be acceptable behaviour, dress and language in your own country may not be appropriate in another. Please keep this in mind while travelling.

How we're giving back

In Israel and the Palestinian Territories, we stay in locally run accommodation including guesthouses, smaller-scale hotels and homestays in an effort to support the local economies. We also visit locally run restaurants and markets where travellers will have opportunities to support community businesses and purchase handicrafts created by local artisans. Our Responsible Travel Policy outlines our commitment to being the best travel company for the world.